and have over 50 support vehicles on hand to support the delivery of
your world-class care in conditions where flight is not possible.
The UK Air Ambulances model is unique and supported with a light
touch by the Government of the day.
It is only 30 years ago that the first air ambulance started in
Cornwall. Now there are 21 air ambulance charitable services in the UK.
The system has morphed from being primarily a flying road ambulance
into a flying accident and emergency department. The first night
HEMS mission took place approximately five years ago and some air
ambulance services are now delivering critical care 24 hours a day.
The AAA represents the majority of air ambulance charities, a
number of ambulance services and the supply chain of support
services throughout the UK. The AAA supported the reception for the
seventh year, bringing patients, charities, ambulance services and
legislators together.FIRE
ITALYVIGILI DEL FUOCO: Leonardo has signed contracts for five additional
AW139s to the Italian National Fire Corps (Vigili del Fuoco, part of
Ministry of the Interior), including integrated logistic support and
training for crews and technicians. The orders, valued at over €75
million, add to the previously purchased three units, with two already
delivered this year. The five new helicopters are expected to be
delivered in June 2020.
The Italian National Fire Corps intends to progressively replace its
old AB412s helicopters and to guarantee optimal coverage and
increased responsiveness across Italy. The introduction of the AW139
marks a major enhancement of airborne multirole capabilities. The
fleet modernisation programme includes an option for seven
additional helicopters which could be added to the eight already
ordered.ACCIDENTS & INCIDENTS
26 March 2019 Airbus Helicopters AS365N2 N611LL. Air ambulance
of Hershey, Pennsylvania, After arriving from a 100-mile inter-facility
flight a walk around at the hospital pad revealed no faults. The pilot
undertook a solo five-minute flight to refuel at a nearby airport. Upon
shutdown at the airport he noted excessive oil on the left side of
aircraft trailing aft from the engine area, covering the tail and dripping
from the engine compartment drain port. The mechanic found that the
#1 engine oil filter housing seal had failed and allowed approximately
1 quart of engine oil to be discharged from the base of the oil filter
housing. A large puddle of oil was found in the area of where the
aircraft had been, indicating the seal failed instantaneously on start
up for re-positioning to the airport for fuel.25 April 2019 Airbus Helicopters EC135 N***** Air Ambulance of
Airlift Northwest. Returning to base after dropping a patient off at an
urban trauma center, the team reported a loud audible impact. The
pilot noted no warning indicators or trouble controlling the aircraft.
The team made a precautionary landing at a nearby airfield and found
a bird strike. Damage to a panel, an apparent bird strike, which would
require cosmetic repair. The crew returned to base without incident.5 June 2019 Leonardo AW109 N109FB. Phoenix Police Air Unit. A
hoist rescue in which the female patient strapped into a Stokes basket
entered an uncontrollable spin due to the rotor downwash. No injuries22 June 2019 Lockheed L-188 Electra C-GZCF ‘490’ fire-fighting
aircraft operated by Air Spray based at Red Deer Airport, Springbrook,
Alberta Canada. Landing gear failed to extend. Aircraft landed gear up
on its belly tank with little damage overall at Red Deer Airport.26 June 2019 MD500E South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
(SLED) on a mission conducting sweeps of marijuana fields crashed at
Summerville Airport when attending to refuel. The pilot was the only
occupant and was taken to the hospital for non-life threatening
injuries. The helicopter broke apart at the rear of the pod and was
sitting back on the skid heels.Wakefield is an option. The helicopter does operate training missions
from Doncaster. As the P68 is so small, TFO type training has to be
undertaken in a helicopter temporarily assigned to Doncaster.
The final two NPAS Vulcanair P68s (OE-FAC/OE-FAI) reportedly
arrived at NPAS Doncaster on the morning of 20th June 2019.
For an unknown reason the latest maintenance contract lists some
NPAS bases as priority bases, these are: Barton, Birmingham, Carr
Gate, St Athan and London (to be North Weald).
UNITED STATESLOUISIANA: As part of the recently concluded financial arrangements
between Bell Helicopter and the State of Louisiana over the failure of
Bell to honour its commitment to having a helicopter factory, the State
will keep its new Bell helicopter.
Louisiana gets $9.5 million and can keep a $4.6 million State Police
helicopter as part of a settlement with Bell.
The settlement is nearly $3 million less than what the state sought
when it filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming Bell never fully
delivered on 115 jobs initially promised nor a renegotiated 95 jobs as
part of a package of incentives the state provided.
The helicopter maker had occupied a $26 million state-financed
manufacturing facility, which closed in August employing 22 workers
after the state terminated its agreement with the company. The state
has since negotiated with a different company, Swiss Helicopter
manufacturer Kopter, to take over the abandoned taxpayer-owned
building at the Lafayette Regional Airport.
Bell Helicopter’s deal was initially struck in 2013, with the company
agreeing to build a new helicopter assembly hub for its 505 Jet Ranger
in Lafayette in exchange for economic incentives for job creation. Bell
later said it could not meet its original promises to create 115 jobs
after global helicopter demand fell dramatically, and it moved the 505
helicopter assembly to its operation in Mirabel, Canada.
The company then agreed in 2017 in a renegotiated pact to do
cabin subassembly work in Lafayette for a different type of helicopter,
the Model 525, reducing its job commitment to 95 workers. That deal
also included the new helicopter for the Louisiana State Police.
AIR AMBULANCE
CANADAMANITOBA: The Manitoba government is cutting two Cessna Citation
Jets from the province’s LifeFlight air ambulance service and will turn
it over to a private company. They claim that the move reflects a
difficult recruiting regime and a competitive private sector. Recruiting
staff for highly specialised positions is very difficult due to the specific
qualifications and training required, as well as significant competition
from private sector employers. The Citations were under-utilised last
year, with private carriers used for half the flights.
IRELANDICRR: John Kearney, director of Irish Community Rapid Response
(ICRR) air ambulance has welcomed the long-delayed announcement
by the Dept of Health that a service contract has been signed, meaning
that Ireland’s first community Air ambulance will be airborne within
weeks. ICRR is a charity and committed to fundraising €2 million
annually to pay for the helicopter, the pilots, the airbase at Rathcoole
in Millstreet and the fuel.
UNITED KINGDOMNATIONAL: The annual reception held by the All-Party Parliamentary
Group for Air Ambulances (APPGAA) took place on the House of
Commons Terrace, Westminster on 10th June. The event, hosted by
Chairman of the APPGAA Robert Courts MP, gave members of both
Houses of Parliament the opportunity to meet with representatives
from air ambulance charities and ambulance services.
A total of 152 attendees came together and used the opportunity
to highlight and discuss some of the key issues that affect the sector.
The UK fleet of free at the point of need pre-hospital care helicopters
now numbers 39. These helicopters are on call, at all hours of the day